Climate change and its impact on Africa's public health

Africa's rising temperatures are worsening vector-borne diseases in vulnerable regions, a serious public health issue.

Juliet Akoth Ojwang reports for Mongabay.

In short:

• Rising temperatures in Africa extend the life cycle of disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, increasing disease spread.
• Edward Miano emphasized climate change as a major public health crisis, linking it to the reemergence of diseases in previously unaffected areas.
• Collaborative efforts across various sectors are deemed necessary to combat the adverse effects of climate change on health.

Key quote:

"It is crucial to acknowledge the gravity of the situation that we are facing today, especially around climate change, as it is no longer only an environmental concern, but it has evolved into a significant public health crisis with far-reaching implications for communities worldwide."

— Edward Miano, executive director of the Health Rights Advocacy Forum

Why this matters:

Climate change reshapes our environment and our health landscape, making once rare diseases common and introducing new health threats to regions already facing socio-economic challenges.